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Recent research from the Association of Investment Companies suggests that 78% of investors plan to make use of their ISA allowance this year. 40% plan to use only the shares element , representing a 1% rise since last year, while just over a quarter plan to use both their cash ISA and investment ISA allowance, again representing a 1% increase on the previous year. more

A recent survey conducted by NS&I indicates that the demographic of ISA savers has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. A survey of over 1,200 UK adults revealed some interesting insights into the behavior of savers in the past few years. more

Financial advisers to benefit from new "healthcheck"

08 July 2005

Financial advisers can now test their level of business knowledge with a newly launched online self-testing service.

It is able to gauge advisers' understanding of investment and planning products and act as an investment knowledge healthcheck.

The free internet-based service is being run by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and allows workers to benchmark themselves against the CII validated testing tool.

The head of product marketing for the CII, Niall Boyd, said research has shown many advisers need a bit of a knowledge refresher.

"Investment planning and products has been highlighted by the Sandler Report, the FSA and Financial Services Skills Council as one where many advisers' knowledge falls short of the required standard," he explained.

"The CII has therefore developed this facility to help advisers discover for themselves what level their knowledge is at."

The confidential test consists of 15 questions generated at random from a question bank.

After the test has finished advisers receive an instant breakdown of their marks with explanatory information on all the questions.

There is even additional guidance on where they might find further explanation in the appropriate CII learning material.

Mr Boyd added: "Should gaps in an adviser's knowledge be identified this new system will allow them to plot the most appropriate course of action to bolster their knowledge and boost their professional standing".